Compound musical instrument string configuration and support system

Abstract

An apparatus for doubling of the length of each string of a stringed instrument using two legs of an extended string. The effective longer string length allows for the production of a lower tone range without lengthening the neck of the instrument, or the same tone range while shortening the neck of the instrument. If required to prevent bowing of the neck, a reinforcing structure may be included to the neck structure or in a second preferred embodiment a buttress support to the neck of the instrument may be provided. The height of the paired strings above the fret board may also be adjusted.

1 . An apparatus providing compound musical instrument string configuration on a stringed instrument having a neck and body supporting tensioned strings, comprising: 
 means for string tensioning adapted for engagement to the distal end of the neck portion of a stringed instrument having said neck portion attached at an attachment end to a body of said stringed instrument;    at least one elongated string having two distal ends and a middle section between said two distal ends;    a string retainer adapted for engagement on said body;    means to engage both said distal ends of said string to said means for string tensioning;    means to rotationally engage a middle segment of said middle section around said string retainer thereby separating said string into a first leg and a second leg extending between said means for tensioning and said means to rotationally engage a segment of said middle section, and    said first leg and said second leg variably tensionable between said distal ends and said middle segment by activation of said string tensioner to concurrently increase or decrease tension on both said first and second leg, thereby holding them in an elevated position adjacent to a playing surface extending along said neck and said body.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus providing compound musical instrument string configuration on a stringed instrument of  claim 1  additionally comprising: 
 means for coupling each respective first leg to each respective second leg.    
   
   
       3 . An apparatus providing compound musical instrument string configuration on a stringed instrument of  claim 2  additionally comprising said means for coupling each respective first leg to each respective second leg comprises: 
 a plurality of leg separators, each leg slidably engaged at a first end on said first leg and at a second end on said second leg;    said leg separators maintaining a defined distance between said first and second leg; and    said leg separators allowing for independent lateral translation of each of said first leg and said second leg in their respective engagements with said first end and said second end of said leg separators.    
   
   
       4 . An apparatus providing compound musical instrument string configuration on a stringed instrument of  claim 1  additionally comprising: 
 means for adjustment of said elevated position of said first leg and said second leg adjacent to said playing surface.    
   
   
       5 . An apparatus providing compound musical instrument string configuration on a stringed instrument of  claim 2  additionally comprising: 
 means for adjustment of said elevated position of said first leg and said second leg adjacent to said playing surface.    
   
   
       6 . An apparatus providing compound musical instrument string configuration on a stringed instrument of  claim 3  additionally comprising: 
 means for adjustment of said elevated position of said first leg and said second leg adjacent to said playing surface.    
   
   
       7 . An apparatus providing compound musical instrument string configuration on a stringed instrument of  claim 1  additionally comprising: 
 means for translating said first leg and said second leg from a first substantially parallel arrangement in a first plane, to a second substantially parallel arrangement in a second plane, said first plane substantially parallel to said playing surface on said body, said second plane substantially perpendicular to said playing surface.    
   
   
       8 . An apparatus providing compound musical instrument string configuration on a stringed instrument of  claim 2  additionally comprising: 
 means for translating said first leg and said second leg from a first substantially parallel arrangement in a first plane, to a second substantially parallel arrangement in a second plane, said first plane substantially parallel to said playing surface on said body, said second plane substantially perpendicular to said playing surface.    
   
   
       9 . An apparatus providing compound musical instrument string configuration on a stringed instrument of  claim 3  additionally comprising: 
 means for translating said first leg and said second leg from a first substantially parallel arrangement in a first plane, to a second substantially parallel arrangement in a second plane, said first plane substantially parallel to said playing surface on said body, said second plane substantially perpendicular to said playing surface.    
   
   
       10 . An apparatus providing compound musical instrument string configuration on a stringed instrument of  claim 4  additionally comprising: 
 means for translating said first leg and said second leg from a first substantially parallel arrangement in a first plane, to a second substantially parallel arrangement in a second plane, said first plane substantially parallel to said playing surface on said body, said second plane substantially perpendicular to said playing surface.    
   
   
       11 . An apparatus providing compound musical instrument string configuration on a stringed instrument of  claim 5  additionally comprising: 
 means for translating said first leg and said second leg from a first substantially parallel arrangement in a first plane, to a second substantially parallel arrangement in a second plane, said first plane substantially parallel to said playing surface on said body, said second plane substantially perpendicular to said playing surface.    
   
   
       12 . An apparatus providing compound musical instrument string configuration on a stringed instrument of  claim 6  additionally comprising: 
 means for translating said first leg and said second leg from a first substantially parallel arrangement in a first plane, to a second substantially parallel arrangement in a second plane, said first plane substantially parallel to said playing surface on said body, said second plane substantially perpendicular to said playing surface.    
   
   
       13 . An apparatus providing compound musical instrument string configuration on a stringed instrument of  claim 1  additionally comprising: 
 at least one buttress support communicating between said body and said neck to thereby reinforce said neck.    
   
   
       14 . An apparatus providing compound musical instrument string configuration on a stringed instrument of  claim 2  additionally comprising: 
 at least one buttress support communicating between said body and said neck to thereby reinforce said neck.    
   
   
       15 . An apparatus providing compound musical instrument string configuration on a stringed instrument of  claim 3  additionally comprising: 
 at least one buttress support communicating between said body and said neck to thereby reinforce said neck.    
   
   
       16 . An apparatus providing compound musical instrument string configuration on a stringed instrument of  claim 4  additionally comprising: 
 at least one buttress support communicating between said body and said neck to thereby reinforce said neck.    
   
   
       17 . An apparatus providing compound musical instrument string configuration on a stringed instrument of  claim 7  additionally comprising: 
 at least one buttress support communicating between said body and said neck to thereby reinforce said neck.    
   
   
       18 . An apparatus providing compound musical instrument string configuration on a stringed instrument of  claim 1  additionally comprising: 
 a pair of opposing buttress supports communicating between said body and said neck to thereby reinforce said neck.    
   
   
       19 . An apparatus providing compound musical instrument string configuration on a stringed instrument of  claim 2  additionally comprising: 
 a pair of opposing buttress supports communicating between said body and said neck to thereby reinforce said neck.    
   
   
       20 . An apparatus providing compound musical instrument string configuration on a stringed instrument of  claim 3  additionally comprising: 
 a pair of opposing buttress supports communicating between said body and said neck to thereby reinforce said neck.